HC Deb 12 February 1973 vol 850 cc225-6W
Mr. Loveridge

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent in each of the past 10 years on research designed to find new uses for coal; and what increased funds are planned for future research into new uses for coal in order to give the industry a broad base of sales.

Mr. Tom Boardman

The expenditure in the United Kingdom since 1963 on research to find new uses for coal as follows:

"000
1963 … … … … … 50
1964 … … … … … 85
1965–66* … … … … … 45
1966–67 … … … … … 45
1967–68 … … … … … 110
1968–69 … … … … … 155
1969–70 … … … … … 200
1970–71 … … … … … 190
1971–72 … … … … … 195
1972–73 … … … … … 300
* 15 month period to March 1966.

In association with European countries expenditure in the coming years is expected to increase to about £½ million, part of which will be met from the funds of the European Coal and Steel Community.